"Suspect Possibility of North Korea's New ICBM Model... Warhead Weight Estimated at 2.5~3 Tons"

New intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unveiled by North Korea at the 75th anniversary parade of the Workers' Party founding
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] There are concerns that the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unveiled by North Korea at the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party founding on the 10th may be a mock-up. Experts estimate that if it is an actual missile, the maximum warhead weight could reach 2.5 to 3 tons.

On the 21st (local time), Michael Elleman, a senior researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and a U.S. missile expert, stated this in an article published on the North Korea-focused media 38 North. He pointed out that North Korea has previously displayed fake missiles at military parades and suggested that it would be appropriate to question the reliability of the 'Hwasong-16' ICBM unveiled at the recent 75th anniversary parade of the Workers' Party founding.

Researcher Elleman analyzed that the new ICBM is longer and has a larger diameter than existing ICBMs, which would impose constraints on its mobility and launch process. In particular, due to its size and weight, mobility would be severely limited, and filling the missile with fuel while moving poses a risk of damage. Therefore, he assessed that the missile would need to be erected on the launch pad before fueling. Additionally, fueling would take at least several hours, exposing the missile to vulnerability from external attacks before launch.

Although it is difficult to make an accurate assessment based solely on photos and other materials, Elleman estimated that the Hwasong-16 ICBM has a diameter of 2.4 to 2.5 meters, a length of 24 to 25 meters, and a total weight of 80 to 110 tons. He also estimated the warhead weight of the Hwasong-16 to be about 2.5 to 3 tons, which is larger than the 1.5-ton warhead weight of the existing Hwasong-15.